The Origin of 'Nicotine': Tracing Its History

The word "nicotine" comes from Jean Nicot, a French diplomat who served as the French ambassador to Portugal from 1559 to 1561. Nicot sent tobacco and seeds of the tobacco plant to France, where it was initially used as an ornamental plant. The plant later became popular as a medicinal herb and was eventually used in cigarettes and other forms of tobacco products.